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Our mentors are editing, our mentees are revising, and we hope you’re making progress on your own manuscript! While we’re all working toward the Agent Showcase on November 1st-7th, we hope you’ll take a moment during your writing breaks and get to know our 2017 Pitch Wars Teams.

And now, we have . . .

Jamie McHenry – Mentee

Destiny Cole – Mentor

Because there were so many fantastic mentors available, my short list had 23 who I thought might like working with this book. Whittling down the list was hard. Really hard. After watching all the broadcasts and studying the wishlists, I made painful cuts as the submission day approached. I wanted a mentor who would be interested in my kind of book, who would understand the main character, and who could offer skills I felt I was lacking. I chose Destiny because she said mentioned on her blog that she was interested in contemporary only if it was dark or twisted and how she loved helping with character development. I needed someone like her on my side and I hoped she would like my submission.

Destiny, why did you choose Jamie?

The voice of his MS immediately hooked me! Plus after talking with him, I knew he was a hard worker and not afraid of edits, which is how you are successful in Pitch Wars!

Jamie, summarize your book in 3 words.

Betrayal. Deceit. Revenge.

Destiny, summarize Jamie’s book(s) in 3 words.

Revenge. Betrayal. Murder.

Jamie, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your MS unique?

I write novels that I’m in the mood to read, so my projects vary in genre depending on my frame of mind at the time. Every book until now has included magic or supernatural elements and writing something contemporary has been a big change for me. It’s been fun. I like pushing my own boundaries and trying new styles. The characters in this story have so many secrets and putting their personalities on the page is such an enjoyable journey. I think this story will surprise a lot of people—in a good way. That’s my hope.

Destiny, tell us about yourself. Something we may not already know.

My office at work is decorated exactly how my nerdy teenage self would have decorated it: complete with framed book maps, a Wonder Woman wall, and tons of figurines.

And next, we have . . .

Janet Walden-West – Mentee

Brighton Walsh – Mentor

Brighton Walsh There were so many great Mentors (again), but through her posts and blog, Brighton came across as a kick-ass mix of drill sergeant and head cheerleader (the awesome Bring It On type, not the Mean Girls variety). Plus, her wish list felt custom made for my manuscript, with her interest in reversed gender roles, unlikeable heroines, and diverse beta heroes.

Brighton, why did you choose Janet?

I loved that Janet’s story was something different, with a hero who’s a great big bear of a man but it soft and gentle, and a heroine who is fierce and doesn’t back down. Plus, I mean, I pictured Jason Momoa the entire time I read, so…

Janet, summarize your book in 3 words.

Boss-girls. Top Chef. Miami.

Brighton, summarize Janet’s book in 3 words.

Gigantic swoony chef

Janet, tell us about yourself! What makes you and your MS unique?

I’ve slept on Hyde Park benches and under monkeypod trees , but eventually settled in the same rural Southern town where I grew up. I live with a pack of show dogs, a couple of kids, and a husband who didn’t read the fine print. In my world, enough coffee and cheesecake can salvage almost any situation.

Paige Bennett is more than content with her life and what she does—and does not—have in it. She’s got a supportive family, a great apartment, and the best friend a girl could ask for; so what if her relationships expire faster than a carton of milk? After a disastrous detour courtesy of poor judgment in the boyfriend department, her plan is back on track and her dream job is finally within her grasp. Nothing can make her lose focus now. Well, nothing except the one-night stand she had with her best friend’s surrogate brother. The one-night stand she can’t stop thinking about.

Adam Reid has always been reliable…the responsible son, the loyal friend, the steady boyfriend. Two years ago, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and is well on his way to making a name for himself at an accounting firm in Denver—a far cry from working as a helper in the Mom and Pop store his parents own in Michigan. But when said store starts failing, he’s the only one who can step in and help. So reliable Adam does what he always does, and he comes to the rescue.

Paige thought Adam was a safe bet because he lives halfway across the country. But then suddenly he’s moving back to their town, and then into her apartment building, and soon he’s worming his way right into her life. If she’s not careful, he might sneak his way into her heart, too…

Thank you for supporting our Pitch Wars Teams! The Agent Showcase is November 1st-7th, and our next #PitMad is December 7, 2017!

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Pitch Wars is a mentoring program where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions on how to make the manuscript shine for an agent showcase.